I see what you're saying and wouldn't rule it out. But perhaps that method is further down that rabbit hole than I've been accustomed to. But my experiences have been:
If the League wanted to exert pressure on a market, they generally wouldn't do it through a group seeking a franchise. The League would come out with thinly (or not-so thinly) veiled references themselves... thru their own means like the All-Star Game, the May Doomsday Report, etc.
The thing is, with potential groups gushing out details (rather than the preferred "Cone of Silence") it potentially opens doors for what would be seen by the League as unrealistic expectations. Those expectations consumed by the market, as a start, such as Fanbases (existing or prospective), Local Municipalities, or other interested markets. The Long-Shot markets so to speak. And I'm sure there's caveat's in these closed-door meetings, like Krause is stating he's had, that the atmosphere of those meetings is "everything's preliminary, non-binding, and in no way do these discussions set any unrealistic expectations". Something like that
Wrapping this up - I'm set on the League seeing Atlanta and Salt Lake City as it's next two expansion markets. The "eagerness" of both markets dictates that. The infrastructure dictates that. Willing governments, new buildings planned. One group's eagerness is they made their intentions known, the City-and State level of commitment is completely sound, and they're going thru with the plans seemingly regardless of what the League says at the moment. Mr. Krause is getting too descriptive in my opinion, based on what I'm used to.
Fertitta still knows that, as of right now and the near future (3-5 years anyway), that entry into the Houston market is thru his front door. Unless another Krause-like group comes along and decides "Screw it all... we're building an arena in The Woodlands or Sugar Land!"... or something like that.